The 5E is effective for learning most concepts, but not for processes. Other models may need to be included within the 5E.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Clearly understand the various instructional models and the best practice for their uses; 2. The learning objective must be clearly identified as a concept of a process to correctly identify the best practice and instructional model; and 3. Use other best practices such as moving instruction from the known to the unknown or concrete to pictorial to abstract or limiting objectives within a 5E.

SPEAKERS:
Sandra West (Texas State University: San Marcos, TX)

Learn how graphical reasoning helps students bridge the STEM gap. Gain tools to help students become proficient at graphing, making predictions, and deepening content understanding.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Help students who lack algebraic fluency bridge the gap between science and mathematics; 2. Gain tools and tips to help students become proficient at creating graphs, identifying common graph shapes (e.g. linear, inverse square), linking graphs with their algebraic representations, making predictions, and deepening content understanding; and 3. With hands-on demonstrations, data from our research studies, and lesson plans, teachers can utilize the information shared in this session to better support their students.

SPEAKERS:
Janice Gobert (Rutgers Graduate School of Education: New Brunswick, NJ), Michael Sao Pedro (Inq-ITS by Apprendis: Berlin, MA)

Sponsoring Company: Estes Industries

Ready to take STEM learning to new heights? Join Estes and build a FREE rocket and learn model rocketry basics!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Model rocketry provides a relevant, hands-on, and engaging vehicle to hold students accountable for their knowledge in the classroom; 2. Participants will learn model rocketry basics and how to successfully set up a launch site; and 3. Estes Education provides interdisciplinary STEM resources and tools to educators that give them the skills and confidence necessary to elevate learning.

SPEAKERS:
Nicole Bayeur (Estes Industries: , United States)

Sponsoring Company: Beyond Labz

Built on a platform developed over 20 years, Beyond Labz creates an open-ended environment providing students the opportunity to experiment, practice, fail, discover, and learn.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Beyond Labz simplifies and reduces the cost and expertise needed to provide crucial laboratory experiences and practice for Secondary and Higher Ed students; 2. Attendees will learn how the labs are used for pre- and post-lab experiences, credit recovery and lab make-up, student engagement in class, and meeting NGSS standards; and 3. Basic onboarding and startup instructions will be provided for drop-in solutions, and instructions for using some of the more sophisticated features will also be described.

SPEAKERS:
Brian Woodfield (Brigham Young University: Provo, UT)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Build STEM culture through community engagement! Develop interest and awareness, leading to increased demand for STEM programming and STEM career pathway courses.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn strategies for hosting community engagement events, including family STEM nights; 2. Explore the role of partnerships in supporting engagement events; and 3. Walk away with resources to support establishing and hosting community engagement events.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Blank (Watertown City School District: Watertown, NY), Tiara Davis (Teacher: Charlotte, NC), Heather Overkamp (Portsmouth Public Schools: Portsmouth, VA), Patty Brunet (Cypress High School: Cypress, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Discovery Education

Start your day with the DE team and a hands-on immersion into the wonderful world of Phenomena! Please note that attendees must preregister for this workshop here.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. learn and experience how to incorporate everyday phenomena into meaningful science lessons; 2. experience how to utilize hands-on activities to introduce phenomena ; and 3. explore scientific concepts using phenomena from across all grade levels K–12.

SPEAKERS:
Brad Fountain (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD), Justin Karkow (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Green Ninja

This session will share a framework for how to create compelling learning experiences where students use science and engineering concepts to solve local environmental problems.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. be able to create a storyline and lesson sequence outline that focuses on a local environmental issue of interest; 2. be able to bundle different science TEKS using a storyline; and 3. develop experience using localized phenomena to create student-oriented instruction.

SPEAKERS:
Eugene Cordero (Green Ninja: Mountain View, CA)

Sponsoring Company: DoD STEM

Engage the power of visible thinking to heighten learning through scientific inquiry and authentic questioning while fostering connections with and between students in your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. understand and explain visible thinking; 2. describe multiple benefits of applying visible thinking in the classroom; and 3. learn strategies to apply visible thinking in inquiry-based science learning.

SPEAKERS:
Lisa Blank (Watertown City School District: Watertown, NY), Patty Brunet (Cypress High School: Cypress, CA), Tiara Davis (Teacher: Charlotte, NC), Heather Overkamp (Portsmouth Public Schools: Portsmouth, VA)

This session focuses on the core messages of the book Crosscutting Concepts: Strengthening Science and Engineering Learning, published by NSTA Press in 2021.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The power of crosscutting concepts is most fully realized when they are used in conjunction with science and engineering practices and disciplinary core ideas; 2. Crosscutting concepts serve as lenses on phenomena, supporting all students in question-asking and sensemaking; and 3. Teacher leadership is critical to realizing the power of crosscutting concepts in practice.

SPEAKERS:
Jeff Nordine (The University of Iowa: Iowa City, IA), Okhee Lee (New York University: New York, NY)

Discourse is an important part of science learning. In this session, we will engage in talk moves from the teacher and student perspective.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. distinguish between everyday conversation and academic discourse; 2. apply the goals of productive discourse through talk moves; and 3. consider classroom environment layout and routines that support a community of learners.

SPEAKERS:
Jason Martin-Hiner (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA), Beverly Berns (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA)

Astrobiology Learning Progressions support the creation of units that are relevant and motivating through the lens of the search for life in the universe.

TAKEAWAYS:
K–12 teachers, curriculum directors, and other science communicators will take away from this session: 1. what is the scientific search for life in the universe—Astrobiology, how it is interdisciplinary, and how it can be combined within STEM, ELA, art, engineering, and more; 2. how they can use the excitement and motivating topics in Astrobiology to leverage learning in a variety of science concepts throughout the NGSS; and 3. the know-how to navigate and use the Astrobiology Learning Progressions ( https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/education/alp/ )to find information, context, and resources to create their units and lessons.

SPEAKERS:
Dani Leach (Lakewood High School: Arlington, WA)

Space Station Explorers offers many activities to reach and teach the next generation—from growing tomato seeds that flew in space to launching experiments to the ISS.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Every educator can incorporate the highly engaging topic of space into their curriculum; 2. Most of our programs are completely free and standards aligned; and 3. We provide myriad opportunities to get involved, attend professional development, and equip educators to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.

SPEAKERS:
Kim Christman (ISS National Laboratory: Melbourne, FL), Courtney Black (ISS National Laboratory: Melbourne, FL), Samantha Thorstensen (ISS National Laboratory: Melbourne, FL)

Connect your school with local colleges and STEM employers using relevant, standards-based, hands-on activities that spark interest in science and STEM careers. Sample activity included.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to identify and reach out to potential community and industry partners; 2. How to build a program or event that meets the needs of all stakeholders; and 3. How to develop authentic learning experiences to impact student perspectives of locally available STEM careers.

SPEAKERS:
Bethany Kenyon (BioNetwork: Greenville, NC)

This session introduces a way to create in-person and remote learning experiences that give all students a chance to learn how to use the DCIs, CCS, and SEPs to make sense of the world around them.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to make in-person and remote learnings experience more meaningful, relevant, and equitable for students; 2. How to give students an opportunity to use their own ideas along with the DCIs, CCs, and SEPs in the service of sensemaking; and 3. How embedded formative assessment during an investigation can be used to examine student sensemaking.

SPEAKERS:
Victor Sampson (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)

We are awash in assessment data, but often it’s overwhelming to make sense of it. Join us to learn tips and strategies for wrangling data.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explore new ways to organize data collection and raw data to aid in exploring the data for stories after it is collected; 2. Acquire skills in tying questions, data types, and data visualizations to enhance your ability to make sense of your assessment data; and 3. Identify next steps to better utilize and leverage your assessment data to help you measure students’ learning and know what steps to consider next.

SPEAKERS:
Kristin Hunter-Thomson (Dataspire Education & Evaluation, LLC: No City, No State)

Learn how to apply for NMLSTA’s Classroom Teacher Awards and Hurd Award. This interactive workshop will provide information and an opportunity to begin an application.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NMLSTA Classroom Teachers awards provide up to $200 to support science in your classroom and has a quick and easy application. 2. The Hurd Award is for exemplary science teaching performance including leadership in sharing these ideas and a great way to showcase what you are doing in science education. 3. This workshop will cover eligibility, requirements, and timelines along with how to write a successful application, an opportunity to brainstorm ideas and start an application.

SPEAKERS:
Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0)

Lead the PBL charge from the science classroom with simple changes to your 5E lesson/unit plans that drive the question, provide instruction, and build interdisciplinary integration.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Changing a 3-D learning claim to a guiding question; 2. Structuring Explore in research and the first phases of the EDP; and 3. Creating an interdisciplinary project in Elaborate that acts as an Evaluation.

SPEAKERS:
Claire Williams McGee (Metro Nashville Public Schools: Nashville, TN)

Sponsoring Company: Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge/ Shell Awards

Come start your winning application for one of three Shell-sponsored programs. We'll walk through the application step by step and you'll be able to begin your application or nomination form live.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn about the Shell Science Lab Regional Challenge competition and the two Shell-sponsored teacher awards; 2. learn how to nominate and apply for the programs that are sponsored by Shell; and 3. be able to collaborate with previous winners and judges on key elements to include in a strong application.

SPEAKERS:
Martha McLeod (Aransas County ISD: Rockport, TX), Ritu Gandhi (Morales Elementary School: Houston, TX), Ruth Ruud (Cleveland State University: Cleveland, OH), Melissa Collins (John P. Freeman Optional School: Memphis, TN)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Join the Savvas team for a hands-on workshop on a three-dimensional classroom experience based on the new Texas Standards.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Incorporate science and engineering practices into your lessons; 2. Build dynamic science lessons aligned to the TEKS; and 3. Transform the new TEKS into student-centered performance expectations.

SPEAKERS:
Chuck Kremer (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ), Manuel Romo (Savvas Learning Co.: Paramus, NJ)

Build a working solar oven and your students’ empathy for global issues in this inquiry-based lesson on convection, conduction, and radiation with an authentic audience!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Having an authentic, global audience for a STEM inquiry project can be engaging and inclusive for your students and can promote empathy in your classroom; 2. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals) can pair wonderfully with STEM lessons to enhance project-based lessons and make them meaningful to students; and 3. Organizations like iEARN (https://www.iearn.org/) partner with teachers to help provide platforms and opportunities for global learning.

SPEAKERS:
Kate York (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX), Katherine Donaldson (The University of Texas at Dallas: Richardson, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Discovery Education

Join us for lunch and explore DE’s Texas Two-Year Science Package, which is fully aligned to the TEKS and includes ready-to-use activities and intuitive lessons from Mystery Science. Please note that attendees must preregister for this workshop here.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. dive into DE’s Two-Year Science Package that was designed to bridge the gap and prepare science teachers and students for 2024; 2. understand how DE brings science to life inside the classroom with hands-on activities connected to real-world phenomena; and 3. explore new easy-to-use lessons available through our partnership with Mystery Science.

SPEAKERS:
Brittany Lewis (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD), Raquel Gruver (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD), Justin Karkow (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Carolina Biological Supply Co.

Apply creative problem-solving skills and engineering practices to chemistry and physical science challenges. Experience how Carolina makes it easy to incorporate STEM into your classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. engage in two different STEM challenges; 2. apply chemistry and physics DCIs; and 3. model the engineering design process.

SPEAKERS:
Patti Kopkau (Retired Educator: National City, MI)

Sponsoring Company: BIOZONE

Learn how BIOZONE’S superb interactive texts and BIOZONE toolkit support teachers to deliver flexible and engaging NGSS and AP programs.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover how BIOZONE’s interactive worktexts and BIOZONE toolkit empower teachers to deliver engaging, effective programs within a differentiated classroom; 2. Discover how the BIOZONE toolkit augments the worktext and supports teachers in delivering a flexible and engaging program; and 3. Learn about BIOZONE’S two NGSS series (Standard NGSS Series and Integrated NGSS Series) and our new Advanced Placement titles for AP Biology and AP Environmental Science.

SPEAKERS:
Pam Temons (BIOZONE International Ltd.: Hamilton, New Zealand)

Sponsoring Company: National Science Foundation, Presidential Awards

Join NSF as we share professional development opportunities for teachers within the federal government and hear from Presidential Awardees about their experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Federal professional development opportunities that you may not have been aware of before; 2. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) application process and benefits received; and 3. The paths of accomplished teachers and Presidential Awardees as they continue to grow their career.

SPEAKERS:
James Colby (National Science Foundation: Alexandria, VA)

Sponsoring Company: Discovery Education

To celebrate 20 years of supporting teachers and engaging students, the Discovery Education team invites you to join us as we dig deep into our platform and unveil seven things that you didn’t know about your FAVORITE science learning platform, and one thing you probably did! Please note that attendees must preregister for this workshop here.

SPEAKERS:
Justin Karkow (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Learn how to read the 62 maps of practices, core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and performance expectations in The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions and use them and other features of this powerful navigational tool to develop and implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Construct an explanation for why it is important to consider learning progressions when planning curriculum, instruction, and assessment; 2. Analyze the elements of the three dimensions on a map to interpret the relationships it conveys; and 3. Obtain and evaluate information about the elements of the three dimensions in order to plan and carry out the development of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Come find out how to involve your students in learning how AI and ML can be taught to your students, how it can be used to promote equity in the classroom, and how it can make YOUR teaching job easier! If you can, bring a data set and computer.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. AI and ML can help equitize the science classroom by allowing students to participate in learning; 2. AI and ML can be taught to students in the classroom and is an excellent 21st-century skill for all students; and 3. AI and ML hold the possibility to make the science teacher's job easier.

SPEAKERS:
Holly Amerman (University of Georgia: Athens, GA), Anna Herdliska (Gwinnett County Public Schools: Suwanee, GA)

Many of our students come to us experiencing trauma so it is imperative we help them become scientifically literate using healing-care strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. see how healing-care strategies assist students in experiencing chronic trauma in the science classroom; 2. gain strategies for helping engage these students in activities focusing on scientific literacy with an emphasis on media literacy; and 3. be given strategies for both formative and summative assessments that align with the NRC Framework and NGSS.

SPEAKERS:
Ann MacKenzie (Miami University: Oxford, OH)

Explore the NSTA website with us! NSTA provides high-quality digital resources and opportunities—all within a professional community—that supports professional learning and classroom instruction. NSTA gift cards will be raffled!

TAKEAWAYS:
1) Become versed about the plethora of digital resources available on NSTA’s website. 2) Learn about NSTA’s virtual learning opportunities for educators of science. 3) Grow your network of like-minded individuals.

SPEAKERS:
Flavio Mendez (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Michelle Phillips (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Sponsoring Company: Imagine Learning/Twig

Learn how to engage students in scientific literacy using Movie Magic. Gravity and force will be explored through a hands-on modeling of a hoverboard.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The powerful three-dimensional approach of lesson design; 2. Using high engagement, real-world topics to develop scientific literacy; and 3. Resources to investigate magnetic repulsion, then model magnetic fields and their interactions in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kimberly Mueller (Imagine Learning | Twig Education: Santa Cruz, CA), Tess Burns (Twig Education: Santa Cruz, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Edulastic

NGSS lessons by students, for students—how cool is that?! Hear the STEAM Team’s story, discover their suite of activities, and get free classroom tools!

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will learn: 1. about what inspired a group of high school students to create engaging and fun STEAM lessons for middle school students; 2. how to access student-created digital learning lessons to help teach science to their own students; and 3. how to locate NGSS-focused assessments and create their own assessments in Edulastic, and assign them to their students.

SPEAKERS:
Ileana Betancourt (GoGuardian + Pear Deck + Edulastic: El Segundo, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Activate Learning

Develop a sport for the Moon; create a light and sound show to entertain your friends; design and build an improved safety device for a car. Project-based learning motivates students and challenges them to apply their physics knowledge, as well as reflect the three dimensions of the NGSS. Active Physics has been incredibly successful in schools. Join the fun and find out how to make your curriculum even better.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to customize the program for students who want or need more depth, concepts, or explorations; 2. Discover how your students can use their new physics knowledge to creatively solve their Chapter Challenges; and 3. Learn about the encapsulated 7E instructional model.

SPEAKERS:
Gary Curts (Activate Learning: Greenwich, CT)

Sponsoring Company: Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.

Use Digitalis' Nightshade NG planetarium software to target NGSS and/or TEKS at multiple age levels in various scientific disciplines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. gain ideas about how Nightshade NG planetarium software can be used to target NGSS and/or TEKS at multiple grade levels; 2. experience how Nightshade NG planetarium software can be used to target NGSS and/or TEKS in various disciplines such as astronomy, Earth science, engineering, ecology, biology, physics, and more; and 3. learn how astronomy can be used as an anchor for interdisciplinary units.

SPEAKERS:
Karrie Berglund (Digitalis Education Solutions, Inc.: Bremerton, WA), Beau Hartweg (Tyler Junior College: Tyler, TX)

Help students explore earthquakes and Earth science in context after major earthquakes using a suite of FREE web-apps, data, animations, and visualizations from IRIS.

TAKEAWAYS:
Explore: 1. the current seismicity of the planet; 2. resources to help students examine a recent earthquake in Earth science context; and 3. resources to enable students to work with authentic earthquake data.

SPEAKERS:
Wendy Bohon (IRIS | Earthscope Consortium: Washington, DC), Michael Hubenthal (IRIS | Earthscope Consortium: Washington, DC)

This session will allow participants to develop an understanding of three-dimensional assessments. Participants will engage in activities to support discussion around how and why three-dimensional assessment tasks (used formatively and/or summatively) and instructional tasks share many similarities. Participants will also gain experience evaluating student learning across the three dimensions.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain a stronger understanding of three-dimensional assessments; 2. Discuss similarities between three-dimensional assessment tasks and three-dimensional instructional tasks; and 3. Experience evaluating student learning across the three dimensions.

SPEAKERS:
Patrice Scinta (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Kristin Rademaker (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Zoe Evans (Bremen City Schools: Bremen, GA), Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

Come see the professional learning model being utilized across Iowa to scale the use of free high-quality instructional materials (OpenSciEd) across the state for middle school publicly released units as well as furthering unit design with supports for the high school field test. These materials support the science learning of emerging multilingual students and incorporate the Universal Design for Learning guidelines.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. review the instructional routines highlighted across all OpenSciEd units and other high-quality OER curricula; 2. examine the professional learning model used to support the implementation of high-quality instructional materials across the state of Iowa; and 3. consider how the tools, processes, and instructional model shared could be applied to their local context.

SPEAKERS:
Tammy Askeland-Nagle (Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency: Bettendorf, IA), Jason Martin-Hiner (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA), Hope Garton Brown (Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency: Pocahontas, IA), Beverly Berns (Keystone Area Education Agency: Elkader, IA)

Learn how using NextGen TIME can help you get the best possible science instructional materials into the hands of teachers prepared to use them.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NextGen TIME is a suite of tools and processes that support district leaders in: a. preparing to evaluate instructional materials; b. evaluating instructional materials for their quality and design for next generation science; and c. planning for next steps including customization to improve student outcomes and effective implementation in classrooms throughout the district; 2. NextGen TIME is a collaborative, evidence based suite of tools and processes for professional learning that helps teachers and others operationalize the characteristics of high-quality instructional materials designed for next generation science; and 3. Using NextGen TIME represents an investment in curriculum-based professional learning to increase the likelihood that all students and teachers have access to the best possible materials for the local context.

SPEAKERS:
Jody Bintz (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO), Jenine Cotton-Proby (BSCS Science Learning: Colorado Springs, CO)

Discover low-cost, easy-to-construct, physically active lessons that help students understand solids, liquid, and gases at the particle level and the forces between particles.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to model the attractive forces between particles in a gas, liquid, and solid to help explain the difference in properties of the different states of matter; 2. Learn how to construct these activities using the materials and spaces they already have; and 3. Receive ideas and opportunities to modify the depth to make the activity more appropriate for the student population.

SPEAKERS:
Clark Ellis (The Kinkaid School)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Measure the acceleration of gravity with whichever sensor you have, or no sensor. We’ll discuss using a Picket Fence and a Photogate, tossing a ball over a Motion Detector, and using Vernier Video Analysis. Data collected in class can be shared to remote students. Share your favorite g labs with other teachers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Frances Poodry (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Tom Smith (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: Anatomage

We will discuss the applications as well as the core scientific principals behind one of the most popular and fascinating tools in the medical field. What is light and how is it used inside of an MRI? What is precession and how do we use this to create an image? How are gradients used to localize a signal? We will discuss each of these questions and hopefully create a meaningful understanding for such a fascinating tool.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. What a digital image is composed of; 2. How light works and is used to create images; and 3. What an MRI is actually showing you.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Perry (Anatomage, Inc: San Jose, CA)

Curricula can support all students in reaching today’s standards, including NGSS. Attend to learn about critical curriculum features and how to improve/advocate for quality materials.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understanding the importance of high-quality materials for supporting students and teachers; 2. Understanding the features and the opportunity for feedback and input; and 3. Ability to utilize the features for improving development and selection of curriculum materials.

SPEAKERS:
Jennifer Childress Self (NextGenScience: San Francisco, CA), Sam Shaw (EdReports.org)

Learn how to join NASA’s first online community of practice for STEM educators (CONNECTS) and gain access to NASA content, resources, educator community, exclusive events, and NASA experts.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. receive a foam rocket activity they can implement in their classrooms using simple materials; 2. learn about the vast resources offered by NASA’s new online community of practice for STEM educators, CONNECTS; and 3. learn how they can join CONNECTS.

SPEAKERS:
Cindy Hasselbring (NASA Headquarters: Washington, DC)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

This workshop presents an engaging way to explore the relationship between position, velocity, and acceleration. Consider how you can avoid student misconceptions and create student-centered experiences. Join us as we demonstrate collecting and analyzing kinematics data using Go Direct Sensor Carts and Graphical Analysis software. You will receive access to experiment files and sample data to use with your students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Frances Poodry (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Tom Smith (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: Lab-Aids

Explore the use of a Driving Question Board (DQB) as a tool to make the phenomena meaningful and connected to science content. Using an example activity from Ecology, we will model the DQB at the start of the unit, then jump to an activity to make connections to the phenomena and content. Pro-tips and full exemplary DQB walkthrough with our experienced classroom trainers.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Develop a DQB to help drive phenomena throughout a unit of study; 2. Develop a model of an ecosystem; and 3. Determine how an introduced species affects the flow of energy and cycling of matter throughout an ecosystem.

SPEAKERS:
Cindy Lilly (Ocean Bay Middle School: Myrtle Beach, SC)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Learn how the structure of your inquiry activities can produce roadblocks for emergent bilinguals, and how shifts based on student strengths increase engagement and success.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. A resource versus deficit perspective and building lessons around abilities; 2. Breaking down language barriers in student-student collaborations through effective modeling; and 3. Using multiple representations in science, utilizing emergent bilinguals' strength with translanguaging.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moore (University of Nebraska Omaha: Omaha, NE)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Learn how to integrate Vernier sensor data into Python coding. Explore how coding can enhance your students’ experience in the science classroom by providing another avenue of engagement. Teachers of science and coding alike will benefit from this hands-on workshop.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Receive hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Tom Smith (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Frances Poodry (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Reading proficiency is tied to academic success. Teaching various reading and testing strategies can help students overcome their challenges with comprehension and vocabulary acquisition.

TAKEAWAYS:
How to use reading strategies to help all students develop ways to navigate grade level challenging text. How creating a classroom culture can cultivate an environment conducive for welcoming and increasing literacy in the classroom. How to use testing strategies in science to help students navigate and become accustomed to scenario style questions.

SPEAKERS:
Leslie White (Duval County Public Schools: Jacksonville, FL)

Explore NSTA’s new Professional Learning Units. Discover these bite-sized asynchronous professional learning experiences that support student sensemaking to earn credit to submit to your school or district.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Discover how NSTA can provide asynchronous and bite-sized continuing education credit options (2 hours per PLU); 2. Explore how each PLU contains reflections or tasks connected to the classroom that are submitted to NSTA for review or feedback; and 3. Explore how we can support professional learning for individuals or schools/districts, including the flexible options available for Professional Learning Unit topics, and how these fit into our Professional Learning pathways.

SPEAKERS:
Kate Soriano (NSTA: Arlington, VA)

A physics teacher and a makerspace specialist team up to apply physics concepts with design, testing, iteration, and data analysis in their schools’ Innovation Lab.

TAKEAWAYS:
Learn: 1. how to combine standard laboratory techniques with engineering projects 2. how to use several different software packages (most freely available online) to design and simulate project performance; 3. how classroom teachers and makerspace specialists can work together to design integrated projects; and 4. how data analysis can influence both physics labs and engineering projects.

SPEAKERS:
Kris Swanson (Pine Crest School: Boca Raton, FL), Andrew Leeds (Pine Crest School: Boca Raton, FL)

Can you land on Mars? Join us for a hands-on engineering design challenge that explores shock absorption and air resistance while making connections to careers and real-world experiences.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand NGSS engineering practices about design, testing, and developing models and solutions for elementary and middle school students; 2. Learn effective teaching strategies to engage students in engineering practices that promote critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity; and 3. Learn how to motivate students with space exploration, including exciting current events and careers.

SPEAKERS:
Natasha Wilkerson (Texas A&M University: College Station, TX)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Exploring sound is easier when you can visualize the sound waves. Identify tuning fork frequencies by sight as well as sound, and SEE the waves combine to form beats. The same sensor can also measure decibel level. Take home sensor data, experiment instructions, and receive free access to Graphical Analysis™ Pro.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Frances Poodry (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Tom Smith (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: Savvas Learning Company

Learn what representations and data your students can use to bridge phenomena and mathematics, and how to use data tasks to assess 3-D kinematics understanding, as opposed to rote algebra skills.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Using authentic data from real open-access journal articles to model motion; 2. Students using multiple representations to shift back and forth from pictures, graphs, and math; and 3. Assessing students' understanding through their performance using real data.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Moore (University of Nebraska Omaha: Omaha, NE)

Sponsoring Company: Seven Sides Publishing

Seven Sides Publishing will show how our investigation manuals provide an easy and efficient way to put science in the hands of students through Simple Investigations.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. We have enough ideas for investigations to cover 100% of the science standards; 2. Investigations are so simple, students and teachers will want to use them; and 3. Simple Investigations will put science in the hands of students, efficiently increasing learning and test scores.

SPEAKERS:
Christopher Garside (Seven Sides Publishing: , United States)

Sponsoring Company: AeroTech/Quest

Explore the differences between aerospace-grade solid composite propellant model rocket motors and traditional black powder model rocket motors in science education, and assemble a Quest Astra III model rocket kit during the workshop to take home.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The differences between solid composite propellant model rocket motors and traditional black powder model rocket motors; 2. Why solid composite propellant model rocket motors represent the future of model and hobby rocket flight; and 3. How composite propellant model and hobby rocketry can lead to aerospace careers in engineering, propulsion, aerodynamics, telemetry, payload design, mission planning, and much more.

SPEAKERS:
Dane Boles (AeroTech / Quest Divison of RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc.: , United States)

Sponsoring Company: XR Guru

Join us for this hands-on presentation to experience Virtual Reality science content.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Understand and experience virtual reality science content; 2. learn the research on integrating virtual reality in the classroom; and 3. learn how to create your own virtual reality content to share with students.

SPEAKERS:
Doug Smith (XR Guru: Dublin, OH)

Engage in a variety of activities, collect information and resources, and network with middle level leaders from NSTA and NMLSTA. Discover new ideas and materials that you can use next week.

TAKEAWAYS:
Attendees will: 1. have networking opportunities with other middle level science educators; 2. discover resources to help them in all aspects of their teaching; and 3. engage in a variety of new activities to use with their students.

SPEAKERS:
Mary Lou Lipscomb (National Middle Level Science Teachers Association: Naperville, IL), Rebecca Kurson (Collegiate School: New York, NY), Wendy Abshire (American Meteorological Society: Washington, DC), Alison Seymour (Science Teacher: Winchester, 0), Bruce Boehne (Zion Lutheran School: Dallas, TX), Marissa Nalley (The Algae Foundation: Midland, TX), Abigail Stimach (American Meteorological Society: Washington, DC), Kylie Wynaker (The Algae Foundation: Midland, TX), Amanda Clapp (The Catamount School: Sylva, NC), Covey Denton (Greenfield School: No City, No State), Katy Garvey (The Source for Learning, Inc.: Reston, VA), Edralin Pagarigan (Golden Ring Middle School: Rosedale, MD), Emily Ong (Girls Who Code: New York, NY)

Let's stop the guessing game as to what we expect from our students. The Depth and Complexity Icons do just that. Come find out!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. By using the Depth and Complexity Icons, the teacher immediately knows what type of feedback to give students (formative assessment); 2. Once this becomes part of the teacher's instructional practice, the students will begin to know exactly what is expected of them from the teacher; and 3. Teachers must first become familiar and comfortable with this before we can expect the students to become comfortable and successful.

SPEAKERS:
Allen Wilson (Education Service Center, Region 20: San Antonio, TX)

Do you impact your school and community with STEM? If you teach K–12, come learn how to apply to win up to $15K through this teacher competition.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn how to apply for the Shell-sponsored teacher competition; 2. Begin your application or nomination of a Shell-sponsored program and receive a prize; and 3. Collaborate with past winners and judges to learn how to strengthen your application.

SPEAKERS:
Amanda Upton (NSTA: Arlington, VA), Ruth Ruud (Cleveland State University: Cleveland, OH)

Science current events journals bring real science into the classroom. Use the news to teach science content, media literacy, and analytical thinking, and to reinforce language arts.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. How to integrate media literacy in the science classroom; 2. Tools for differentiated instruction in science literacy; and 3. Integration of NGSS in a science literacy project.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Weissman (The Ramaz School: New York, NY)

Join us for a hands-on experience and discussion about modeling! It will feature quick-start guides, student work examples, and modeling assessment strategies.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will: 1. learn how to use a model with a given natural phenomenon; 2. learn how to scaffold models for all diverse learners; and 3. be given ready-to-use resources to start modeling in their classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Brittany Blair (Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy: North Windham, CT), Nicole Vitello Lowell (Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy: North Windham, CT)

Use everyday materials to construct models demonstrating the size and scale of atoms, planets, the solar system, number of stars in our universe, and more.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. The universe at various scales can only be truly appreciated with an understanding and utilization of scientific notation; 2. “Scale” is important to grasping the bigness and smallness of various objects, events, and concepts in the universe; and 3. “Modeling” allows humans to literally “grasp” the various scales inherent of and in the universe.

SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Strong (SMARTCenter: Wheeling, WV), Robert Strong (SMARTCenter: Wheeling, WV)

Come explore the practice of developing and using models by analyzing maps from The NSTA Atlas of Science Literacy and developing your own models based on your own observations of a phenomenon during a hands-on activity.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Explain the intended progression of learning for students in developing and using models; 2. Analyze a model to determine students' understanding of core ideas in science; and 3. Argue with evidence about students’ proficiency with the practice of developing and using models.

SPEAKERS:
Ted Willard (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD), Brad Fountain (Discovery Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Sponsoring Company: Vernier Software & Technology

Use the Vernier Video Analysis app for ChromeOS, macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android to investigate the motion of a physical pendulum colliding with a cart. Access to Vernier Video Analysis and the experiment from our lab manual will be shared with you. Bring your own device or use one of ours!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Gain experience with hands-on technology that encourages students to explore and test different solutions and make connections to the real world; 2. Get access to free resources to keep students engaged while learning key scientific concepts either remotely or in the lab; and 3. Gain hands-on experiences with innovative products that increase student engagement, promote creativity and collaboration, and develop problem-solving skills.

SPEAKERS:
Tom Smith (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR), Frances Poodry (Vernier Science Education: Beaverton, OR)

Sponsoring Company: NOAA Office of Education

Join us for a demo and discussion about the NEW searchable database of 1,200+ educational resources from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

TAKEAWAYS:
1. NOAA has 1,200+ resources for educators, including lessons, videos, activities, posters, and more; 2. You can now search by grade, resource type, subject, and topic to find what you’re looking for; and 3. We have NGSS resources too! Search by DCI.

SPEAKERS:
Marissa Jones (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Washington, DC), Bekkah Lampe (NOAA Office of Education: Silver Spring, MD)

Participants investigate three concepts of an anchoring phenomenon to explain why a dog can see himself and the bottom of a frozen pond simultaneously.

TAKEAWAYS:
Workshop participants will engage in and learn about; 1. a phenomenon-driven storyline focused on multiple concepts; 2. model-based reasoning and collective sensemaking; and 3. constructing explanations via developing models and forming CER statements.

SPEAKERS:
Jaclyn Murray (Mercer University: Macon, GA)

Undergraduate citizen science research from Peru’s Sucasari Region is brought to Iowa. Examples and connections for reference and future connections will be provided.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Cultures have more similarities than differences; 2. Understanding phenomena is trans-continental; and 3. Science involves questioning and researching.

SPEAKERS:
Michael Bechtel (Wartburg College: Waverly, IA), Chloe Zierke (Wartburg College: Waverly, IA), Michaela Dehli (Wartburg College: Waverly, IA)

Participate in engaging activities designed to clarify and teach scientific modeling while encouraging elementary/middle school students to think and learn. Receive free resources!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Define scientific models and describe ways scientists use models in their work; 2. Distinguish scientific models from other types of models used in science instruction; and 3. Connect scientific modeling to the NGSS and use modeling to promote three-dimensional learning.

SPEAKERS:
Tyler St. Clair (Longwood University: Farmville, VA), Randy Bell (Oregon State University: Corvallis, OR)

Democratic STEM Teaching (DST) centers student voice, creating inclusive classrooms where all students can thrive. Explore how human-centered design thinking turns DST principles into practice.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will: 1. understand the DST principles and describe practical examples of student voice, shared authority, and STEM criticality; 2. develop ideas of how to use DST principles in their own classrooms in order to create a more inclusive classroom; and 3. use the design thinking approach and protocols to identify a focus area in the classroom.

SPEAKERS:
Kelly Houston (STEM Ed Innovators: Saratoga, CA)

Sponsoring Company: Estes Industries

Learn how model rocketry is the perfect vehicle to teach data literacy, featuring the PocketLab!

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Model rocketry provides a relevant, hands-on, and engaging vehicle to teach data literacy in the classroom; 2. Participants will learn how to launch a rocket, collect flight information, and analyze data; and 3. Estes Education provides interdisciplinary STEM resources and tools to educators that give them the skills and confidence necessary to elevate learning.

SPEAKERS:
David Bakker (PocketLab: San Jose, CA), Nicole Sjoblom (Estes Industries: Penrose, CO)

Toshiba America Foundation wants to work together with teachers who are looking for a better way of doing the right thing.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Toshiba America Foundation objectives; 2. How to request a Toshiba America Foundation grant; and 3. Learn from fellow Toshiba America Foundation grant teachers.

SPEAKERS:
Acacia McKenna (NSTA: Arlington, VA), John Anderson (Toshiba America Foundation: Irvine, CA)

Discover the power of tiny things to promote equity through real-world problem solving with nano@stanford. Learn the biomimicry connection to water-resistant and other engineered materials being developed in nanotechnology to solve real problems that will promote equity by engaging more students.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Learn the biomimicry connections to water-resistant and other engineered materials that are being developed in nanotechnology to solve real problems; 2. All STEM disciplines are needed to solve real problems and nanotechnology provides the tools to develop solutions; and 3. Learn the locations of NGSS-focused activities, resources, and virtual experiences for your classroom connected to Nanotechnology Opportunities for free/ paid professional development with the NNCI and nano@stanford.

SPEAKERS:
Daniella Duran (Stanford University: Stanford, CA)

This session features current science practitioners who share some common challenges faced by urban science educators as well as successful solutions from their school districts. The challenges and solutions discussed are applicable to all school settings.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Receive resources and strategies to promote successful science education; 2. Discuss fresh progressively thinking approaches of current science practitioners who are in the classroom and at the district level; and 3. Engage with presenters on culturally responsive tips that support and strengthen urban science education.

SPEAKERS:
Charles Hayes (Highland Oaks Elementary School: Memphis, TN), LeeAnne Jimenez (Wilson Teaching and Learning Academy: Tulsa, OK), Michelle Ellis (Hunter Huss High School: Gastonia, NC), Brad Rhew (Guilford County Schools: No City, No State), Florentia Spires (Prince George's County Public Schools: Upper Marlboro, MD)

Discover resources and tools to aid in crafting 3-D assessments. Bring your own assessment for peer feedback or explore OERs to adapt to your setting.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. Best practices in 3-D assessment design; 2. Strategies for adapting existing assessments; and 3. Resources for identifying engaging phenomena.

SPEAKERS:
Becky McDowell (Independent Contractor: Springfield, PA)

FREE IRIS and UNAVCO resources explore how the earthquake system behaves across long and short time scales using observations; evidence; and simple, interactive physical models.

TAKEAWAYS:
Teachers will be able to: 1. use evidence and reasoning to construct an explanation for earthquake occurrence at varying timescales; 2. model energy inputs and outputs to the earthquake cycle using a simple mechanical model; and 3. describe how the moment magnitude is calculated for an earthquake and how this relates to basic physical science principles.

SPEAKERS:
John Taber (IRIS | Earthscope Consortium: Chevy Chase, MD)

Discover an engaging, hands-on experience for your students that focuses on middle school science concepts using breakout and interactive games with puzzles and clues.

TAKEAWAYS:
Participants will learn: 1. how to create their own breakout room or interactive game tailored to specific student needs; 2. the benefits of using games that require the use of multiple learning styles to master content for the grade 8 science assessment; and 3. learn how to use games in the science classroom to increase scientific literacy by using thinking, reading, writing, and discourse strategies to deepen the understanding of the content.

SPEAKERS:
Jonathan Kramer (Dallas ISD: Dallas, TX)

STEM classrooms can be exclusive if teachers do not identify the lack of prior learning opportunities and misconceptions early in the year. Come learn how one teacher uses coding to bridge the gap in her STEM classroom.

TAKEAWAYS:
1. STEM inclusion activities; 2. Coding in the classroom; and 3. STEM project ideas.

SPEAKERS:
Stacy Thibodeaux (Southside High School: Youngsville, LA)